Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Crown of Serpents is a retelling of the Perseus and Medusa Greek myth. This retelling focuses heavily on Medusa with themes of femal rage, revenge, and empowerment. There is also and enemies to lovers sub plot with a wonderfully broody MMC. Be sure the check trigger warnings before diving in.

I loved this! We get action and adventure in the very first chapter. The characters are well developed, and we get a satisfying exploration into their backgrounds and motivations. We also explore Medusa's trauma and healing journey with grace. I highly recommend this book to any fantasy romance reader.

Ultimately this wasn't quite for me. I was engaged and enjoying the world building, Medusa's pov and the twist on her myth. However I didn't gel with Perseus and towards the end it all just got a bit silly, the tone felt different and it just threw me out of the narrative too much.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

Thank you for the eARC of Crown of Serpents. I thought the concept of an alternate story/ending for Medusa was really interesting, and I’m always in support of female rage. However, the quality of the writing was a little distracting for me. I enjoyed the varying POVs but was a little confused when Andromeda was brought in. While I was surprised by some of the twists at the end, the writing was maybe just a little too simple for my taste. Some of the verbs and adjectives seemed to be a little too repetitive. For example, I felt that the word "otherworldly" was used as a descriptor a few too many times. I also noticed a decent amount of grammar and punctuation errors that I'm hoping were corrected before the final publication.

This was way out of my comfort zone, but I only requested this because the premise intrigued me — a Perseus × Medusa novel? I didn't see that coming. So I requested and got approved to view this title via Netgalley. And oh my, this was something, to say the least.

For the first 42%, I was a little lost. Mostly because I am not super active in the fantasy arena and the multiple povs felt like different stories all together. But after that, as the action ramped up and the tension, I really liked it. Crown of Serpents is one of those books which will keep you intrigued from the first page. The story starts with a transformed Medusa, killing a group of men sent to end her life and taking back her head a trophy. On the other hand, we have Perseus, who has promised his king to kill Medusa in exchange for his mother; the king wants to make his mother a concubine, and that's a fate he wants to avoid. They are both at opposite ends, but then the fates conspire to bring them together.

This book was a beautiful exploration of feminine rage (not as an aesthetic, but the real thing) and the female agency. The PTSD depiction and other sensitive topics have been handled with the utmost care. The enemies-to-lovers pipeline was really well done, and that's saying something cause I am in the minority which doesn't like this trope much. And gods, I loved Medusa. I really fell in love with her and Andromeda throughout the course of the book. Would definitely continue reading more from the author and I feel this is going to be a series? At least I hope so. That ending was a banger.

Fantasy lovers, this one's for you. If you love classical mythology, good-for-her type of books, and morally ambiguous characters, I am sure you'll end up loving this beautiful, action packed retelling/reimagining of the Medusa myth.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you so much to the author for an advanced e-copy of Crown of Serpents!

This is a beautiful redemption story for whom we all know to be the villain in Greek mythology. Medusa receives a second chance in this romantasy retelling of her and Perseus’s story.

This was a fresh take on Medusa’s story - using her powers to only harm men who harm other women. I loved that this book allowed us to see the growth in Medusa when Perseus gives her a second chance because he sees more than just a monster. The author did a wonderful job at humanizing Medusa, and the reader can’t help but sympathize with the trauma she’s been through.

On the other hand, I feel as though this story steered a little too close to the romantasy formula. Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t fix what’s broken! But, it would’ve been nice to see Crown of Serpents break out of the “hero goes on a quest, meets the enemy, enemies go on a quest, find themselves with only one bed, become lovers,” and so on. I also wished the other characters besides Medusa were fleshed out a bit more. Many seemed one-dimensional, and I needed a bit more than surface level information about them.

Overall, this was still an enjoyable read, and I think Laura Reed’s debut is definitely worth checking out :)

UMMM. Yes! | love Medusa and Perseus so much. Such a good easy read. The character arcs were absolutely on point. I love the tension that immediately started as soon as Perseus and Medusa/ Kleo and Andromeda basically laid eyes on one another.

arc review:
Crown of Serpents by Lara Reed
raiting: 4/5 ⭐️

This book reimagines the classic myth with a twist, Medusa is no mindless monster, and Perseus might not be the hero the gods intended. Packed with action, tension, and unexpected alliances, it’s a high-stakes story where fate is never fair.

I loved the dynamic between Perseus and Medusa, so much stubbornness, so much fire! Their reluctant partnership, the looming wrath of the gods, and the question of whether they’ll destroy each other or defy Olympus kept me hooked. Plus, the themes of power, vengeance, and reclaiming one’s own story made it even better.

If you love Greek mythology with a fresh take (and a dash of sizzling tension), Crown of Serpents is for you!

Crown of Serpents is an intriguing and well-executed reimagining of the Medusa vs. Perseus myth. The first half of the novel truly shines, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale with strong worldbuilding and compelling character dynamics.

However, the second half leans more into romantasy than I expected—perhaps fitting for the book’s marketing, but it took me by surprise. I never imagined Medusa and Perseus with romantic tension, so the shift was unexpected... yeah, I was blind, Gordon-style.

That being said, the writing is undeniably strong, and the chemistry between the characters is well-developed. I especially appreciated how the novel didn’t shy away from themes of female rage, reclaiming Medusa’s story in a way that felt both powerful and cathartic. Even so, I felt that the initial challenges introduced in the story lost some urgency as the romance took center stage. While the relationship worked, I personally would have preferred a more gradual slow burn.

Overall, Crown of Serpents is a solid choice for fans of Greek mythology retellings and those new to romantasy. There’s a good balance of action and reflection, ensuring the story remains engaging while also exploring deeper emotional themes. If you enjoy mythology-inspired storytelling with a strong romantic thread, this is definitely worth picking up.

Most people know Medusa only as a monster, missing the parts of her story where she was a priestess to Athena and cursed by that goddess after she was sexually assaulted by Poseidon in Athena’s sacred temple. The Greco-Roman gods were some champion victim-blamers, let me tell you. Lara Reed’s Crown of Serpents brings Medusa’s tale of monstrous female rage into focus with the complexity and grace her story deserves - and pairs her in a romance with Perseus, her would-be slayer, to boot. It’s not all processing trauma, though. In this uneven novel, you also get: Andromeda & Medusa Bestie Supremacy! There was only one bed! The petrification of dicks! Lightning blood! Fighting as flirting! And Medusa, proving that survival is 90% spite and 10% being able to disembowel someone with your bare hands since 700 BCE.

3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Lara Reed for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this in the span of just two days.
The book was perfectly fast paced and kept my attention for the entire ride. Aspects of the book I liked include the slowburn romance, I loved that it took time to build up and didn’t teeter of into insta-love territory and I appreciate how healthy their relationship was despite the circumstances in which it started off with. The side characters were likeable but I wasn’t as interested in their story as I was with Medusa and Perseus's. Although I didn’t mind their POV’s, I feel like it didn’t add much to the story and could’ve been used to flesh out the main characters more instead. When it comes to character writing, I really appreciate the care taken to write Medusa’s journey to healing, I found myself being attached to her character pretty quickly into the story. That being said however, I felt that the characters were a bit one dimensional, there were instances in the story where they would make major decisions with no clear reasoning behind it other than the fact that it’ll drive the plot forward. They’ll quite literally say ‘I don’t know why I did that’ and move on, this was a bit disappointing as the characters already had a great foundation and some extra layers to them would’ve added so much to the book.

I think the book was well written, the prose was simplistic and served the story as it should, my only problem is that the language and writing didn't contribute to my immersion in the story. There were lines that would sometimes take me out of the story because of how out of place it felt in the setting.

Overall even with my critiques, I really enjoyed this book and I do hope we get future instalments. I’d love to read more of Lara Reed’s writing.

Crown of Serpents completely reignited my love for Greek mythology, but with a fresh and fierce new perspective. This isn’t the Medusa we thought we knew—this is her story told in all its raw, powerful, and unflinching truth. The book masterfully reclaims mythology, peeling back the layers of Perseus, the Olympian gods, and the legends I grew up with, revealing something far more complex, haunting, and deeply human.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The storytelling is immersive, the emotions raw, and the female rage? Absolutely phenomenal. The author doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of these myths but instead leans into them, crafting a tale that is as heartbreaking as it is empowering. If you love mythology, morally gray characters, and books that make you feel everything, this one is a must-read.

Thanks #netgalley

I was really excited for the concept of this book. I love Greek mythology retellings, but this unfortunately was a DNF for me.

The first chapter I thought I was going to be hooked, but then so many POVs were introduced back to back and it got a little chaotic and I felt a little random to include so many off the jump before truly getting into the world / story.

I ended up getting about 16% (58pages) in before deciding to DNF. I may try again in the future, but this one may not be for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a steamy re-imagining of the Greek myth of Perseus and Medusa from Lara Reed. What would have happened if Medusa had been allowed to live instead of being killed? I love mythology and was so excited to be gifted this e-book to read by NetGalley. I will admit that the start of this book felt slow, and it took me some time to feel immersed in the story and characters. Right at the beginning, there are multiple POVs that feel disconnected, and I struggled to stay with it. The main characters didn't really click for me. I am glad I kept going. Around the 60% mark it really started to click and I felt so much more connected to the main characters, as well as our primary sidekicks. The prose was well written and the plot was excellent. I ended up liking this, and gave it a 3.5 star because it simply never felt fully immersive and I was left wanting something more. I appreciate the way the story wraps around and feels very true to Greek mythology and it was a truly unique take.

4.25 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Inspired by Greek Mythology in which Perseus doesn’t kill Medusa and Medusa gets a second chance to actually live her life.

This really saved the Romantasy genre for me! I loved this and there wasn’t really any let downs.

Even though the plot centres around Perseus and Medusa, there’s still other characters that occasionally get POVs which added a lot to the story. It did a wonderful job of pacing the story, I honestly didn’t feel bored at any moment. the slow burn was burning nicely but then it kinda scorched up too fast. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion but they don’t have to say I love you in the first book 🫣. Slow burn can also continue once their relationship has begun, drag it out tbh, adds more anticipation. I also think it would have worked better with the heavier topics dealt in this book.

Regardless it was still enjoyable. Perseus 🤝 women’s wrongs because women’s wrongs are actually women’s rights lolol. Medusa being the overpowered force that can literally shake the world was everything, meddling gods be damned. Kleos must be protected and I know Andromeda will protect him 🤧😤

This will be put into the world on March 11 and I highly recommend you read it! Can’t wait for the next one (I need it right now!!!!)

Oh, and I got an eArc in exchange for an honest review 🤪

I have never read a medusa retelling before and this did not disappoint! Make sure to read the trigger warnings beforehand. I was hooked from the very first chapter and I saw medusa in a a very different light. I love how this retelling had a different take on Medusa and gave backstory that showed what had happened in her past and how she is merely someone who has experienced a lifetime of pain and only trying to survive.

"I know you are not a monster, you are the farthest thing from it. You're just trying to survive."

- True Enemies to Lovers
- Many POVs that blend together well
- Morally Gray FMC ("I can assure you I have never murdered an innocent man.")
- Lyrical writing
- Touch her and you die
- Touch him and you die
- Slow burn
- Two love stories (Medusa and Perseus is the main one)

This is a story about love, survival, revenge, hatred hope, power, greed, and humanity. Thank you so much to Lara Reed and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc of this magical book!

4.5 🌟.

This is a beautifully written story about loss, love and hope. The writing grips you from the very first page.
Crown of Serpents is a retelling of Medusa and Perseus. From the start you get a very detailed background on both characters. It shows the strength and courage they both have whilst battling emotional and physical turmoil. Throughout the book you can see the vast change in character development which makes you fall in love more with the characters. I really don't want to give anything else away in this review as I can see this book blowing up and becoming a firm favourite of many readers, as it is now one of mine.

I’ve always been a sucker for a Greek mythology retelling. I loved the progression of Perseus’ and Medusa’s relationship. It was a true enemies to lovers situation. I also enjoyed seeing Medusa’s progression over the book. It was a story full of female rage and revenge.
While I had a hard time getting into the first couple chapters, once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down and flew through it in a couple days! It was fast paced and full of action.
I can’t wait to read the next book!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of Crown of Serpents.

This is a reimagining of the tale of Greek mythology figures Medusa and Perseus told in a romantasy setting.

Strengths: This was a fresh take on Medusa/Perseus where they fall in love instead of him killing her, and his ability to see her as a person and not a monster was lovely. The banter was good, and I thought the author did a great job humanizing Medusa. Also, the fact that she just be killing shitty men? I love women.

Weaknesses: This could have been fleshed out more, as I felt like things were a little rushed and some of the characters came across a little one dimensional. For instance, I felt like I didn’t know who Perseus really was other than a guy who loves his mom and is horny for Medusa? And while I enjoyed this being framed a sort of romantasy, it was a little too on the nose. Like, enemies to lovers who have to go on a quest, and along the way there is only one bed at the inn, etc. I wish the author could have relied a little less on those tropes and instead gave us more background on the characters and the world itself.

Overall, I had fun reading this! Not really complex, but it’s fun, fast-paced, and the writing was great.

Pub date: March 11, 2025

This book was both heartbreaking and beautiful in its own ways.

It's a retelling/alternate story of Medusa and Perseus, and I'll admit that I don't know much about the original story, besides knowing some of Medusa's origins. She's one of the most infamously wronged victims of power abuse and SA, however in most stories she doesn't get to enjoy the sweetness of her revenge. In this story, however, she absolutely gets to experience the satisfaction of facing her assaulter, calling him out for what he is - and making him flinch. And in the meantime, she finds love and people to care for her, who see her as more woman than a monster.

Pick this up if you enjoy ruthless, feral woman, and a slow-burn romance between two people who would tear apart worlds and defy the gods to protect each other. This is an impeccable debut, especially for people who enjoy alternate takes on Greek Mythology. However, do check trigger warnings before reading!

Lara Reed’s Crown of Serpents is an absolute triumph—a bold, emotional reimagining of Medusa and Perseus that I devoured in just a few days. This isn’t just a retelling; it’s a raw, empowering story of female rage, healing, and the fragile trust that forms between enemies.

Medusa is no monster here—she’s a woman shaped by betrayal, her rage fierce and justified. Perseus, tasked with killing her, instead finds himself captivated by her strength. Their journey from adversaries to allies is fraught with tension, danger, and moments of breathtaking vulnerability. Reed’s writing is exquisite, balancing high-stakes action with deeply emotional character arcs.

I adored this book. Medusa’s complexity and growth are masterfully portrayed, and her relationship with Perseus is both tender and electric. A particular scene (no spoilers!) where she opens up had me utterly captivated—it’s a testament to Reed’s ability to craft moments that feel raw and real.

Crown of Serpents is a must-read for anyone who loves Greek mythology or stories of resilience and redemption. It’s fierce, heartfelt, and unforgettable—I can’t recommend it enough!